Chicken Breed Focus - Russian Orloff

[sumi]

The Russian Orloff is a very tall chicken of striking appearance, with a thickly feathered neck, muffed and bearded, and a small cushion type comb. It is a calm tempered sociable breed that has a very hardy constitution and is extremely cold tolerant. It was originally considered a meat bird, but are now bred to be more duel purpose. The hens are fair layers of brown eggs, considered good winter layers, and they will occasionally go broody.

The breed has been described as early as 1774, when it was called the Chlianskaia, the present day breed is probably named after Count Orloff of Russia who imported and popularized the breed. It is a rather rare breed today, but is regaining some popularity.

It is uncertain what breeds were used in the creation of the Orloff, but the Malay and various muffed and bearded game fowls are thought to have contributed to its makeup.

It was in the first APA standard in 1874, but was removed due to lack of popularity in 1894.

It is on The Livestock Conservancy's Critical list.

Details:

Breed purpose: Dual Purpose
Comb Type: Cushion
Broodiness: Occasional
Climate Tolerance: Very cold hardy
Weight: 8.5lbs roosters, 6.5lbs hen
Egg Productivity: Fair-Good
Egg Size: Large
Egg Color: Cream

Picture by @RiddleMe

Picture @kahlua


Picture @6littlechickies

BYC Breed reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/russian-orloff

General breed discussions & FAQ thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/297764/russian-orloffs/0_20

Do you own Russian Orloffs? Are you a Russian Orloff breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

 

[vtguania]

orientpheonix, these are pretty easy going birds with really good temperaments. Once in a while you will get a cock with an attitude & a bit of a fighter, and those tend to be the top winners at shows for some reason. I had a pullet would follow me everywhere and came when I called her. Listened better than my dogs.


I must warn you, they are addictive & a bird the whole family will "Loff"

 

[Vprosenick]

I decided to raise Russian Orloffs because they are a cold hardy dual breed of bird. The look and coloration was also a very large consideration for me, they remind me of a old russian noble in a fur lined coat in the winter (just my mental image). They have proven to me so far that they are very intelligent, very easy going and they come in some spectacular colorations and patterns. So far they are my favorite birds that I own.

These birds are all under a year old.

 

[vtguania]

Great to see our breed being focused. Only that the Large Fowl Russian Orloff was never a recognized breed in the APA. That was the Black Russian Fowl or Russian Black Bearded as it is known in Russia. The Russian Orloff Society of USA & Canada has been making steady progress over the last two yrs and are diligently working on a Standard in hopes of gaining admittance into the APA.

the Orloff Bantam although recognized by the ABA is currently in inactive status due to minimal showing. We have had numerous members show both LF and Bantams this year at several shows throughout the USA and Canada. We have a "Winner's Circle" page on our website with photos from the majority of both LF and bantam Orloff that have won ribbons at these Shows.


http://orloffsociety.wix.com/russianorloffsociety#!breed-history/c15k3

 

[jeffsmith13]

Ive hatched a few and kept one pullet who just started laying this month. Pale tan eggs about 4 a week . She is frisky and adventurous . I think she's beautiful .

 

[FridayYet]

Love my Orloffs, and nice to see the breed recognized on BYC!

 

[vtguania]

Chick pics

 

[K0k0shka]

I don’t know if anybody has mentioned this yet, but - fun fact: “orloff” means “eagle-like” or “of eagles”. Some of these chickens do remind me of eagles. Pretty cool (though a total coincidence since they were named after a person and he just happened to have the eagle last name).

 

[kp addiction]

Hi All! I first started a year ago with the Orloffs. I have been successful raising them in the high desert of Safford, AZ. Tips for keeping them cool are as suggested above. We, at our lil hobby farm, use kid pools with cinder block in center, open cat litter boxes for wading when in smaller sized pens, misting system, fans for hot steamy monsoonal days,frozen goodies, sometimes when I know it will be super warm, I will spray a corner of their pen with the hose to give them a place to lay to cool down. With all of the different breeds that I have tried, the Spangled Russian Orloffs are my favorite. I have taken them to a few APA shows and have had compliments on how mellow they are. Our favorite cockerel this spring jumped into my daughters arms for attention. Our girls are laying now unlike some of our other breeds. We are now taking hatching egg orders. This is Ms. September in the Russian Orloff Calendar!! Lol. We are very proud of her eyebrows.

 

[TheLaboratoryBF]

I just picked up an Orloff chick at my local feed store last weekend after reading about the breed...they order their chicks from Privett in New Mexico. Was not familiar with the breed prior but their temperament, looks, and cream-colored eggs enticed me! Does anyone have pictures of the eggs their Orloff hens lay?

Edited to add picture of my Orloff chick.